Sven Väth Announces Two Exclusive Dates at Club Chinois Ibiza

Cocoon label head and global techno influencer Sven Väth’s is to play two exclusive dates at Ibiza’s all new Club Chinois. The world renowned DJ will play longer sets under the banner of Catharsis on 21st June and 27th September.
Arriving in February this year, Catharsis was German pioneer Sven Väth’s first solo album in almost 20 years. It is a record inspired by Sven’s interest in the physical and spiritual processes that take place when we dance and it shows he is still right at the sharp end of the techno scene. The stylistically diverse record captures all the essence of Väth’s many different sounds over the years from minimal to techno, electro to ambient.
It came on his vital Cocoon label which is also the name of his world famous parties in Ibiza. They introduced the island to techno more than 20 years ago and have always been its beating heart ever since. Sven is of course at the centre of it all as a DJ who can play for hours on end and always keep the crowd enthralled. His deep knowledge and mastery of musical storytelling across all forms of techno is second to none. For that reason, he is sure to make these two dates hugely special as he goes from big and euphoric sounds to stomping grooves, tough techno to more lush and melodic sounds. No trip to Ibiza is complete without seeing this master at work.
This year, he plays in a more intimate space than usual for the White Isle as the all new Club Chinois – which has taken over and fully redesigned what was HEART Ibiza – allows dancers to get up and close and personal. The space is bathed in lush gold tones, with cutting edge light and sound and stylish design to offer an all new kind of experience.
These special dates will see Sven play a couple of longer than normal and unmissable sets.
 

Sven Väth to curate exhibition at opening of Museum of Modern Electronic Music (MOMEM) in 2022

Website: https://www.museumsufer.de/


On 6th April, 2022 the Museum of Modern Electronic Music (MOMEM) will be ceremoniously opened in Frankfurt. Located directly in the heart of the main city at the Hauptwache, the museum will present the exhibition “Sven Väth – It’s simple to tell what saved us from hell”; a collaboration between close friends Sven Väth and Tobias Rehberger. 


“There is no better opening exhibition for MOMEM, because Sven Väth and Tobias Rehberger have each, in their own way, taken electronic music culture from Frankfurt to the world” Alex Azary, director of MOMEM, is pleased to say. 


Together, DJ and electronic art producer Väth and visual artist Rehberger are now curating MOMEM’s opening exhibition, in which they will jointly explore Sven Väth’s private archive. The records, photographs, flyers, films, sounds, and Väth’s private art collection form the centre and starting point of this journey into the shared past of electronic music culture since the late 1980s. 


A very personal view of this most important piece of cultural history emerges, in which electronic music culture formed socially in a few European cities such as Berlin, London, Manchester and, of course, Frankfurt am Main, and from there began its triumphal march around the world. “We are very much looking forward to working together on this exhibition and are ourselves excited to see where this joint journey will take us”, Sven Väth and Tobias Rehberger show themselves joyfully motivated.
The opening of the MOMEM, which is dedicated to the documentation, processing and switching of this cultural history of electronic music, will be celebrated naturally with a large public party with Sven Väth on 08.04.2021


The Hauptwache will become an extraordinary open-air venue with MOMEM at its centre, and the museum will also provide a spectacular impulse for the further development of Frankfurt’s city centre. This would not have been possible without the great support of the City of Frankfurt and Mayor Peter Feldmann, who, in turn, honoured both Sven Väth and Tobias Rehberger with the Goethe Plaque.

About Sven Väth

Sven Väth was born in 1964 in Offenbach am Main and made his first experiences as a DJ in his parents’ dance club. In 1982, the 18-year-old Sven Väth became a DJ at the legendary discotheque Dorian Gray in Frankfurt Airport and became an international pop star between 1985 and 1987 with the project OFF and the single Electrica Salsa. After a break, he opened Omen, one of the most important German techno clubs of the 1990s, and runs the pioneering labels Eye Q Records, Harthouse and Recycle or Die.

As a DJ, Väth has toured the globe ever since. In 1997, Sven Väth founded the Cocoon party series, which conquered all of Europe from Frankfurt and shaped party life in Ibiza for over 20 years. The party series was expanded to include a label and a booking agency before Sven Väth opened the Cocoon Club on July 18, 2004, a lavishly designed party location in Frankfurt that was to set new accents in terms of interior, sound system and gastronomy. In 2016, Väth was honoured with the “Goetheplakette” of the city of Frankfurt and in 2021 looks back on a 40-year career, which is also the reason for the exhibition at MOMEM. Sven Väth’s 14th studio album “Catharsis” will be released in spring 2022, accompanied by an extensive world tour.

Creamfields 2021 lineup expands

Creamfields continues to tease fans as they’ve just unleashed more names for their 2021 edition, new additions include Pendulum – TRINITY, Chase & Status (DJ Set),  Oliver Heldens, Sven Väth, Pete Tong, Vini Vici, Michael Bibi, Kölsch, W&W, Sub Focus (DJ Set), Jax Jones, Gorgon City, Gareth Emery, Claptone, Sigma, Hybrid Minds, Holy Goof, Enrico Sangiuliano, Cristoph, Jonas Blue, SASASAS, Dimension, Cosmic Gate, Bassjackers, Franky Wah, Low Steppa, Brennan Heart, Kutski, Friction, Chris Lorenzo, Mason Collective, Eli Brown, Leftwing:Kody, Offaiah, Notion, La Fleur, James Organ and SOSA.

As one of the most anticipated festivals of any year, this latest onslaught join previously announced heavyweights Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, ANNA, Andy C, Ben Nicky, Boris Brejcha, Carl Cox, Darren Styles, deadmau5, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Disciples, Eric Prydz HOLOSPHERE, Example, Fisher, Hannah Wants, Hot Since 82, KC Lights, Laidback Luke, Martin Garrix, MK, My Nu Leng, Nightlapse, Paul Woolford, Peggy Gou, Scooter, Tchami, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet and Yousef.

Creamfields announce a host of new acts for this years lineup

With festival season now well underway, dance fans can barely contain their excitement as the 6 week countdown begins for the big one, when the mighty Creamfields rolls into town to take over the Cheshire countryside for 4 days of beats, bass and festival fun.  And just when you thought the UK’s #1 dance fest couldn’t get any better, it certainly got a whole lot bigger as they’ve announced more acts to the already outstanding line up.   

First up and never one to miss out on the action is Techno legend Sven Vath, he’ll be joined by one of the most in demand DJs of the moment Patrick Topping, who joins the family for his Creamfields debut along with a host of other debut performances from the likes of Jerome Price, Magic Wand, Angemi,Seeb, and returning for a second year Eli & Fur as well as the return of Cream Favourite Tall Paul. And getting the party well and truly started Creamfields welcomes a legendary outfit whose unstoppable, infectious force of nature is unmissable…The Cuban Brothers!   Didn’t think it could get any better?  It just did!

Amnesia Ibiza comes to SW4 in 2016

Bank Holiday Sunday 28th August will represents a landmark date in British electronic music history as one of the world’s greatest dance institutions, the seminal Amnesia Ibiza, arrives at a UK festival for the very first time.
 
Taking place on Clapham Common at South West Four 2016, Amnesia will take charge of the festival’s 10,000 capacity indoor arena. The arrival of one of the most important and defining clubs the world has ever seen, signifies one of the most important moments of this summer’s festival season.  
 
“We’ve been waiting a VERY long time to bring the full Amnesia Ibiza experience to a UK festival and we’re very excited about making this a debut none of you will ever forget! We have a great affinity with London and are old friends with the team behind South West Four so it feels like the natural choice for us. We can’t wait to showcase many of our resident DJs and favourite artists at SW4, as well as all the trimmings you have come to expect from Amnesia. If we don’t see you on the White Isle we will see you in August!” Amnesia Ibiza
 
Ranked as one of the most popular clubbing destinations on the planet, the multi-award winning Ibizan superclub has been long established as a mecca of dance music with thousands making the pilgrimage to San Rafael every summer. Boasting an outstanding weekly programme of the greatest parties on the White Isle, coupled with incredible production, there really is no better place to experience electronic music quite like at Amnesia Ibiza.
 
After choosing South West Four for their UK festival debut, the dance music powerhouse will present the unique spirit of Ibiza by bringing the full Amnesia experience exclusively to Clapham Common. Everything from their iconic dancers and uncompromising Co2 cannons will be flown over to ensure that this is delivered in a way never before seen on British soil. To complete their inaugural takeover, a leading cast of extremely special guests have been invited to join us in celebrating this very special showcase. Ranging from legends of the main room to kings of the terrace, this group of esteemed Amnesia ambassadors guarantee to leave us with a catalogue of truly unforgettable memories in of the most important dates in London’s 2016 clubbing calendar.


Hailed as the ‘King of Amnesia’, there is no better man on earth fit to headline their first ever UK outdoor experience than Sven Vath. Having dominated both the main room and terrace through his remarkable Cocoon residency now in its seventeenth year, Mondays at the club have become synonymous with his treasured party. In the past SW4 has seen Sven perform at his very best and 2016 will be no different, as the wax-wielding wizard arrives for his exclusive London festival performance in hugely familiar surroundings.
 
 In addition to Papa Sven we’re extremely excited to showcase the twisted techno alias of Eric Prydz aka Cirez D. Here Eric explores the darker end of the electronic spectrum by joining us as the stage’s very special guest. Last seen in the UK at SW4 in 2011, this will be Cirez D’s first appearance in London in half a decade, making this without doubt one of the most exciting bookings seen at a festival this year. 2016 will see the global icon’s techno-driven sounds shake Clapham Common to its very core as Cirez D looks set to write a new chapter in South West Four’s and Amnesia’s acclaimed history.
 
Undoubtedly one of the biggest bookings of our entire two-day Bank Holiday Weekender, two Ibizan stalwarts will go head-to-head for the first time ever in the UK. After witnessing the coming together of two of the underground’s most celebrated DJs last summer, we’re pleased to reveal that Jamie Jones vs Joseph Capriati will arrive at South West Four this summer in a full UK festival exclusive. Responsible for the greatest Ibizan highlight of 2015 at DC10, the demand to see Jamie and Joseph play back to back is phenomenal. Each at the very top of their game, this is simply unmissable.
 
Considered amongst the true greats of electronic music and ranked within its most influential characters, SW4 is honoured to welcome back Danny Tenaglia for his first performance at the festival in eight years and in another UK festival exclusive. This will form his first show on London soil in over a year, making his return all the more special. Danny’s relationship with Amnesia dates back over twenty years where his sets have become the stuff of legend and joins them in a hugely anticipated return to Clapham Common.
 
Having been heavily involved in Amnesia’s programming over the years and holding an outstanding residency at the club since 1999, Mar-T has become a firm fixture in making the White Isle’s #1 club what it is today. He will arrive for his SW4 debut alongside breakthrough Spanish talent Cuartero who also joins us for the first time following superb sessions at Amnesia throughout last season.

SW4 SATURDAY LINEUP SO FAR…
Rudimental [Live]
Dizzee Rascal [Live]
Knife Party
Andy C
DJ EZ · MK
Plus in alphabetical order:
Amine Edge & Dance
Armand Van Helden
A-Trak
Blonde [Live]
Bondax [Live]
Boys Noize [Live]
CamelPhat
Camo & Krooked
Claptone
Delta Heavy
Disciples
DJ EZ
Flux Pavilion [Live]
Friction
Gorgon City
Kidnap Kid
Klingande [Live]
MistaJam
MK
Nero [Live]
Netsky [Live]
Noisia
Nvoy
Oliver Dollar
Pete Tong
Redlight
Rene La Vice
Roni Size & DJ Krust present Full Cycle
Shadow Child
Sub Focus
Tchami
Wilkinson
Zinc
+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED ACROSS 4 STAGES
HOSTED BY TOGETHER, RAM, WELCOME TO GORGON CITY AND SW4 LIVE
 
SW4 SUNDAY LINEUP ANNOUNCED SO FAR…
The Chemical Brothers [Live]
Above & Beyond
Carl Cox
Paul Kalkbrenner
Plus in alphabetical order:
Bakermat
Black Coffee
Booka Shade Live
Cirez D
Cuartero
Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons [Live]
Danny Tenaglia
Davide Squillace
Four Tet
Fritz Kalkbrenner
Guy J
Hunter/Game [Live]
Jamie Jones vs Joseph Capriati
John Digweed
Jonas Rathsman
Lauren Lane
Mar-T
Maribou State (DJ Set)
Maya Jane Coles
Nicole Moudaber
Recondite [Live]
Route 94 vs Secondcity
Sasha
Sister Bliss (Faithless)
Sven Vath
Will Saul
Yotto

Mint Festival add Sven Vath and more

MINT Festival announce Sven Vath as their headliner for Saturday's  

'Mint Present's' arena along with Maya Jane Coles, The Martinez Brothers, George FitzGerald, PBR Streetgang and Bobby O'Donnell. 
 
Jamie Jones will now be joined in the Paradise arena by an array of DJ talent including Jamie Principle (Live), Paco Osuna, Davide Squillace, Richy Ahmed, wAFF and Robert James
 
Other additions include, the impeccable Tiga, Hip Hop hero DJ Yoda, who will be playing a Golden Era Hip Hop set, and Late Nite Tuff Guy, who plays on the Saturday for No Way Back, Milkman Delivers& Mint Club's weekly new night, Never Too Much.
 
Mint Festival also go that extra mile to add another 3 Arenas on both the Saturday and Sunday for 2015, bringing it to 9 separate areas of music per day, a total of 18 over the weekend. If you thought it couldn't get any better, it just has done. 

 

They also introduce an all new VIP Arena with a Viewing Terrace over Wetherby Racecourse amongst many other benefits, adding to a special appearance from USA legend Todd Terry on Saturday and Sunday. He will be joined by Special Guests throughout each day, as The iconic Hard Times are Hosting.
 
 

FULL MINT FESTIVAL LINE-UP

SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER..
MINT PRESENTS ARENA  
Sven Vath | Maya Jane Coles | The Martinez Brothers | George FitzGerald | PBR Streetgang | Bobby O'Donnell

 

SYSTEM & SET ONE TWENTY ARENA
Luciano | Apollonia | Premiesku (live) | DeWalta | Rich NxT | Annie Errez

 

KNEE DEEP IN SOUND 
Hot Since 82 | Green Velvet | Joris Voorn | Route 94 | Santé & Sidney Charles | Denney | Finn & Farrow (Circular) 

 

DUKE DUMONT PRESENTS BLASE BOYS CLUB
Duke Dumont | Tiga | Waze & Odyssey | Fono | Kiwi

 

BITCH
W&W | Kryder | Firebeatz | Arno Cost | My Digital Enemy | D.O.D | Futuristic Polar Bears | Joshua Roberts | Nick Coulson | Digital Mode | Lost Boys | Molise 

 

DIGITAL SOCIETY & GOODGREEF
Paul Oakenfold (25Years of Perfecto Set) | Cosmic Gate | Andy Moor | Menno de Jong vs. Ram | Will Atkinson | Luke Bond | ReOrder | Artic Moon | Hiddenagenda | James Cottle | Paul Pearson
 
NO WAY BACK, MILKMAN DELIVERIES & NEVER TO MUCH
Late Nite Tuff Guy | Transmission Collective | Lucy Locket | Haydn Porter | Campo | Michael Upson | Twogood | Ethan Marin | Mzungu | Cole Proctor | Nickson
 
NO CURFEW & CATALYTIC 
Tom Haigh | Grayson | James Barra | Dan Hills | Jamie Hartley | Manny Brown | Jo Lobel | Tom Jagger | Jordan Khokhar | Dave Q | Twinsound | Mark Sinclair | Reload

VIP WITH HARD TIMES & FRIENDS

Todd Terry | Mat Playford | Brotherton Wing | Lewis Bailey | Jason Bye | Afro Coalition DJs | Clandestino | Jammhot | Liam Frisco | Anton Raphael | Ben Bottomley + Secret Guests from The Festival
SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER..
 
PARADISE
Jamie Jones | Paco Osuna | Davide Squillace | Jamie Principle (live) | Richy Ahmed | wAFF | Robert James 
 
SETH TROXLER PRESENTS
Seth Troxler b2b The Martinez Brothers | Cajmere | Crag Richards | Tom Trago | Felix Dickinson 
 
JUNGLE JAM & DETONATE
Sub Focus | Very Special Guest TBA | Shy FX | Cause & Affect | Benton | Randall | Amy Becker | Stamina MC | MC I.D. | Transit Mafia | Northern Scum | Vital Techniques | Standfast | MC Ruthless | MC Gigante | MC Jordache | MC Pean 
 
SYSTEM PRESENTS FUSE
Ricardo Villalobos b2b Zip | Henrik Schwarz (live) | Dyed Soundorom b2b Enzo Siragusa | Rossko b2b Archie Hamilton | Annie Errez & Bobby O'Donnell 
 
ELROW
Eats Everything (Extended Set) | Skream | De La Swing | Tom Rio 
 
PRISM, CIRCULAR & DEJA VU 
Very Special Guest TBA | Darius Syrossian | Oliver Dollar | Josh Butler | Leftwing & Kody | Sonny Fodera | Cristoph | Finn & Farrow | Luke Pompey & Rickie DH 
 
SLOWDOWN SOUNDS & ELEMENTS
DJ Yoda (Golden era Hip Hop set) | Prince Valium | Tony Green | Jimmy Brooklyn | Sangria Kong | BT3K | Hip Hop Karaoke w/ Ben Randm 
 
RESIDENTS ARENA
Motion DJs | Portal DJs | Under DJs | Mvson DJs | Covert DJs | White Rabbit DJs | Piers Crozier 
 
VIP WITH HARD TIMES & FRIENDS
Todd Terry | Doorly | Mat Playford | Brotherton Wing | Lewis Bailey | Jason Bye | Death on the Balcony | The Head Gardner | Foz | Steve Hoyland | Jack Bettinson b2b Jordan Day + Secret Guests from The Festival 

Cocoon in the Park 2015 Review

Hidden in the depths of a 500 year old mansion, Cocoon in the Park is a complete techno playground which draws in thousands of house-hungry revellers year after year. With an intense lineup dripping with talent, the festival is a small yet uniquely incredible, never failing to entice a crowd. 6 DJs, one stage, and a whole lot of music fans – this is the beauty of Cocoon in the Park. And we could barely wait for it to begin.

The faint sound of heavy house beats could be heard from miles away as we walked with a parade of techno-ready souls in procession to the event. Upon arrival, Enzo Siragusa and Seb Zito were nicely warming up the crowd, with powerhouse Dixon following shortly after. All three were lively, exciting and intense, and the atmosphere of the crowd was well and truly ready for the day ahead.

Carl Cox’, a name recognised by music fanatics, and simply any DJ with high aspirations. Cox’s hardcore and rave roots provided the basis for his own musical evolution, never losing his unique style and etiquette that has made him a living legend today, and why so many still swarm to see him at every possibility. He has undoubtedly honed his natural talent over his years in the industry – and that is building pure, dance-inducing parties. The drizzling rain began to fall on King Cox’s set; but that didn’t stop anyone. Rain macs at the ready, we partied on, following his every move, every beat, with every reveller so lost in the music that the consideration of a bit of rain was almost refreshing. Cox is renowned for filling the place up with his residency at Space in Ibiza, so to see him in full-force in an outdoor venue such as this is something I’d never witnessed before, and something that made a superb change. With an array of scantily clad women holding up the letters to spell out ‘Cocoon’, we were well and truly in the full swing of the festival.

It’s always been known that Ricardo Villalobos is somewhat of an acquired taste, but his time at Cocoon has seen what can only be described as a mass backlash from fans claiming it was a ‘car crash’ of a set. The comparison between the lively, fun and exhilarating set just witnessed by King Cox is definitely almost the polar opposite of what we saw with Villalobos – it was dark, minimalist, at times quite weird, and seem to feel quite slow. It would almost definitely been better had he been scheduled earlier in the day, but the vibe from major highs to deep, dark lows just didn’t connect with the crowd, and we welcomed the entrance of Sven Väth with open arms.

Until Cocoon, I’d never had the opportunity to experience a Sven Väth set live; I’d heard nothing but good things about the German legend from friends who’ve seen him previously, but this was truly something else. Many refer to him as ‘Papa Sven’, a man who guides his children into a euphoric trance with just two decks and a mixer at his forefront. The crowd were literally pulsating as soon as he entered the stage, a man in front of me fist-pumping his beer in the air with an almighty roar of excitement; Papa Sven had certainly arrived, and his children were ready for a night of blazing techno to begin.

The almighty Sven layed down nothing but pure, solid techno beats to a perfectly filled field, with revellers making the most of having so much space to fist pump, twirl and do whatever the hell you like at such an event. The expert veteran continued to blend between intense melodies to the clearly impressed crowd, with confetti guns and a Sven impersonator blasting us with a smoke gun on stage only adding to the euphoria. This guy is literally an enigma, knowing precisely what to play at every turn, much to the ostensible ecstasy of the crowd. Villalobos’ minimalism long forgotten, we see what we came to see; a world class DJ play a world class set. Unforgettable.

As the night drew to an end, many chose to go on and see the likes of Richie Hawtin play at the afterparty nearby – with a line-up just as fantastic as the main event, Cocoon in the Park never fails for those who never want the euphoria to end. But for us, for once, we found we’d been defeated – but with a festival as phenomenal as this, we know it won’t be the last time we grace the land of Temple Newsam. Bravo, Cocoon.

Cocoon in the Park Preview – Who to look out for

For one unforgettable day and night, the back garden of the quaint, scenic and peaceful setting of Temple Newsam will be transformed into an electronic, beat-heavy haven. A place where thousands of music fanatics can listen to hour-upon-hour of highly-charged techno, with a heavy-duty line-up with no trace of a weak link. This is, of course, Cocoon in the Park; so be prepared for a day witnessing a consistent view of pumping fists to the likes of Sven Väth, Dixon, Seb Zito and the almight Carl Cox – and that’s just to name a few.

I saw Enzo Siragusa play alongside tINI just a couple of weeks ago, and to say it was incredible would be an understatement. The dancefloor was packed with a typical array of sweating bodies, all of us wonderstruck with his stripped down tech house style beats that whet our appetite so well. His appearance at Cocoon at the Park should be no different, and he’s definitely one who you should get down – whether early in the day or not – to witness.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Sven Väth is, quite frankly, a legend amongst men. His style and passion knows no boundaries; it has influenced many and has truly revolutionised electronic music, so to hear he’ll be leading an army of music fanatics at Cocoon is music to everyone’s ears. Expect deep, indulging sounds and chasm of rich interludes – and more than anything, one hell of a set.  

Ricardo Villalobos minimal percussion styling might not be to everyone’s taste, but at a festival like Cocoon, even the most unsold of revellers will be given the chance to see what the half Chilean has to offer. His sets have differed, sometimes containing blends of solid down to acid house, other times something completely different; but he is simply a pioneer,  a DJ so different and exciting, it’s almost essential to catch a glimpse of him at Cocoon.  

Carl Cox is a name that simply exhumes that dark, exciting, fist-pumping atmosphere when said out loud. You don’t need to be told of the talent; it’s almost become agiven, just common knowledge – this guy is an enigma. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to someone who has seen Carl Cox for them to respond ‘that was average’; he delivers a spectacle of progressive, atmospheric beats to a crowd that come back, time and time again, to see him reign once again. To have him at the forefront of the Cocoon ship this year is a choice welcomed by many, and definitely a set that will be unmissable.

Cocoon in the Park returns to Temple Newsam on July 11th. For tickets, visit www.cocooninthepark.com.

We Are FSTVL 2015 Review

Essex isn’t the typical location which global-touring DJs and electronic music figureheads Carl Cox, Seth Troxler and Steve Angello are used to playing. Though arguably more familiar with Vegas, Ibiza and European crowds, Upminster-based We Are FSTVL attracts the biggest names in house, techno and on Sunday, EDM.

Now in its third year, We Are FSTVL brings in 30,000 music lovers over its weekend. Think of it as the electronic music equivalent of V Festival. Cleverly targeted at the Essex party-going population, for an extra £40, a VIP ticket allows access to the VIP area – a regular festival feature offering that little bit more; there’s a separate VIP stage (Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records and MK’s Area10 host it respectively), hot tubs, hair salon, glitter and face paint stations and remarkably cleaner toilets, as well as higher viewing platforms back on the main site.

As one of the year’s first proper festivals, Saturday unsurprisingly sold-out in advance, while last remaining Sunday tickets were available on the door. Despite a windy start with grey clouds looming above, the weather stayed dry and summery; rare for a UK festival in late May.

Whilst the generously-sized main stage hosted the likes of Gorgon City and Solomun under sunny skies, Summer Festival Guide found itself at the Used & Abused stage for a great deal of the weekend. Creatively, the industrial design of an aircraft hanger made it seem as though we’d been teleported to an underground club in Europe; fitting for the dark and deep techno acts it showcased. A gargantuan three-hour set from Loco Dice made it near impossible to leave, while Drumcode Records founder Adam Beyer later delivered a set of intense, unrelenting techno. Most notable, its impeccable sound quality, remaining consistent throughout the weekend.

Elsewhere on Saturday’s bill, house sets from Simon Dunmore and Oliver Dollar on the Defected Records stage, and Redlight and Waze & Odyssey in the What Hannah Wants tent, ensured both were permanently filled. Meanwhile, globally-renowned DJ’s Seth Troxler and Carl Cox closed out the opening night on the main stage, respectively, each proving memorable highlights.

Seth’s acidic, techno-heavy set, complete with hypnotic swirling red and black visuals, saw the sun go down, before house music legend Carl Cox took the helm. Opening strongly with Deetron’s piano-house builder ‘Photon’, a sea of mobile phones lit up the night sky. The first person to majorly interact with the crowd, Cox encourages, “Carl Cox is in the house. Who’s ready?” as laser lights scour the audience and confetti explodes from cannons.

The only downside with We Are FSTVL though, is the non-camping policy, meaning that thousands of people need to be transported from the site back to wherever they may be staying. According to social media comments, people were reportedly left for hours on the roadside as shuttle buses and taxis struggled to cope with the number of attendees, though by Sunday this was far less of an issue.

As Sunday morning falls, so does the rain; but luckily only on SFG’s commute to the site. Once on-site, the ground is mostly dry as the sun steadily rears its head. The day’s first highlight comes from Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke who, rare that he comes to the UK, delivers a crowd-pleasing set on the Paradise stage, dropping his own ‘Make A Cake’, ‘Barrump’ and Jesse Rose-collaboration ‘Bare Mountain’, proving Dirtybird as one of the finest electronic labels around; their forward-thinking, unique sound a clear hit with the Essex punters. Later, another Dirtybird affiliate, J Phlip, goes back-to-back with Huxley over in the VIP village, each dropping bass-heavy productions to a growing crowd.

Back at SFG’s favourite stage, the aircraft hanger, now hosted by Cocoon, Ten Walls and Sven Vath each deliver building techno sets; Sven’s hard-hitting sound complimented by female dancers spread across the stage.

At the complete other end of the electronic music spectrum, the main stage welcomes Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard before Oliver Heldens takes over, delivering an unexpectedly stand-out set. Mixing his own ‘deep house’ tracks ‘Gecko’, ‘This’ and ‘You Know’ with tracks from EDM’s biggest names the young producer’s clearly having a great time as he bopps around and shuffles in front of the DJ decks. It’s like watching a child in a sweet shop. “Let me see your hands Essex”, he shouts excitedly, before closing with an EDM remix of Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do. Unpretentious and heaps of fun, Heldens’ set is a great warm-up for the bombastic sounds of Knife Party.

Older fan –favourites ‘Bonfire’ and ‘Internet Friends’ mix well with a newer track which we are told is “for the UK family”; it sounds somewhat influenced by Major Laser. 15 minutes late, Steve Angello’s set begins with dramatic orchestral sounds and visuals as the former Swedish House Mafia member reveals that he’s travelled all the way from Sweden. Appearing like a silhouette throughout the show because of the strobe lights, he works the crowd with Robin S’ ‘Show Me Love’ and later, new single ‘Children of the Wild’ impresses.

Over in the Paradise tent, the sound parallels as Jamie Jones lays down chunky tech-house rollers by the dozen, whilst Mele’ closes out the Hospitality stage, leaving Shadow Child and DJ S.K.T to continue the party for VIP ticket-holders only in the Area 10 tent.

As We Are FSTVL comes to a close nearing 1am, luckily there’s a London-located after-party being taking the festivities through until 6am Monday!

We Are FSTVL continues to thrive as one of the UK’s best medium-sized festivals, offering a diverse range of electronic music over a usually sunny weekend. Here’s to 2016!

Carl Cox, Sven Vath, Loco Dice and more added to SW4 2015

ADDED TO SW4 SUNDAY…

CARL COX VS LOCO DICE

MANO LE TOUGH

CITIZENN & EJECA PRESENTS MOUNTAIN KING LIVE

“I look back to the old days of me being on the Common and now things have obviously changed a lot, but it’s still South London, it’s still Clapham Common. It’s still true to my roots of where I came from and who I am as a DJ. I have built my career from coming from South London and I’m very proud of that. As I have built my career and become a worldwide name, it all really started from Clapham Common.” Carl Cox

“I have no idea what’s going to happen, I have no clue what’s going to happen.  The only thing I know now is there will be 100% excitement. We are ready for this show for sure. I don’t let it get to close to me otherwise it will drive me crazy. I just deal with it at the moment when I’m on the turntables. That’s the best and it’s very natural and it comes from the heart.” Loco Dice

CLICK HERE TO WATCH CARL COX & LOCO DICE SW4 PROMO FILM:

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Carl Cox vs Loco Dice. A meeting of minds. A meeting of masters. At SW4 2013 these two titans clashed for the very first time in the UK with a set which went down as one of the greatest in our history. Two years later they return to headline our second indoor main stage on Sunday 30th August and inflict an even greater level of destruction than they were responsible for twenty four months previously.

Carl’s relationship with South West Four is well documented. An unbreakable bond has resulted in this being his seventh performance at SW4 in our twelve year history. On every appearance Coxy has displayed the kind of mind-blowing ability that has pushed the boundaries of DJing over the past thirty plus years and illustrated why he is considered amongst the very greats of electronic music. In 2015 Carl returns to Space Ibiza to host another season of his seminal residency, interwoven by headline appearances at the world’s leading clubs and festivals and the release of his hugely anticipated collaboration with Chic’s Nile Rogers. This unrivalled crossover formula is what has kept Carl at the forefront of all that is great about our scene over the past three decades. Be prepared to have your senses pulverised. Carl Cox vs Loco Dice is coming…

When one half of Innervision’s Âme says “Thanks to Mano Le Tough, I have no fears for the future of House” you sit up and take notice. Irish born and Berlin raised, Mano Le Tough has risen to international stardom in recent years thanks to a plethora of superb productions and remixes on only the most prestigious of labels, including his own Maeve Records. He has supported this with electric performances at the crème de le crème of festivals and clubs around the world including Berghain, BPM, Dekmantel, DC10, Space Ibiza and a recent London date for Electric Minds. It’s now the time for Mano to showcase his outstanding talents with a very special performance at SW4 and show why he is the future of house music.

Debuting their live show in a world exclusive at South West Four, the forces of Ejeca and Citizenn combine to bring you Mountain King Live. Expect melodic tribal rhythms and a mysterious, dark and empathetic sonic tapestry from two of the most exciting artists currently residing in UK house music. Having recently received critical acclaim for their ‘Acidboi’ EP on Ejeca’s Exploris imprint, including tune of the month in Mixmag, Mountain King could well be the most exciting new pairing to hit the UK dance market this festival season. "It's a huge honour to be debuting our live show at such a well curated and produced festival such as SW4. We've been excited about it for a while now so we're glad we can start talking about it." Mountain King

ADDED TO SW4 SATURDAY…

SVEN VÄTH · MACEO PLEX

TODD TERJE LIVE

DANNY DAZE

Pioneer. Visionary. Legend. Superlatives like these are easily banded around in dance music circles but when you are recognised as one of the most iconic figures within the industry, as well as one of the greatest DJs to ever walk the Earth, they are fully justified. Sven Väth comfortably falls within all of these categories. As label boss his Cocoon imprint has helped launch the careers of some of the finest names in techno, whilst his Ibiza residency is unquestionably one of the most influential the White Isle has ever witnessed. Having celebrated his 50th birthday last year, 2015 will see Papa Sven embark on his sixteenth Cocoon season at Amnesia, as well as the usual array of headline appearances at Timewarp, Awakenings, Cocoon in the Park and the IMS Grand Opening. His return to South West Four for the fourth time on Saturday 29th August will rank as his most memorable as he headlines Maceo Plex’s 7000 capacity ‘Dream Don’t Sleep’ arena.

There are very few artists residing within house and techno today as beloved as Maceo Plex. Recent years has seen him destroy the world’s most esteemed nightclubs and festivals, with his past two London appearances witnessing him host an arena at SW4 2014, followed by a masterclass performance at a sold out Electric Brixton this past Easter. This summer will see Maceo headline the opening of Amnesia Ibiza and feature heavily at Hideout in Croatia, the Slam Tent at T in the Park and Tomorrowland. Recognized as one of the most respected and accomplished artists of his generation, the Miami native returns to host his own ‘Dream, Don’t Sleep’ arena at SW4 one more time on Saturday 29th August.

An artist we have practically been stalking for half a decade finally arrives on Clapham Common this summer as Norwegian DJ, songwriter and record producer Todd Terje makes his long awaited SW4 debut. In 2013 Todd was responsible for what many considered the track of the year in ‘Inspector Norse’, whilst last year he followed this up with the release of his debut studio album suitably titled ‘Its Album Time.’ This would go on to top album of the year charts across the world and resulted in Rolling Stone Magazine featuring Todd in their ‘25 DJs that rule the earth' list. If you like your disco, Todd Terje Live at SW4 is the only place to be…

Hailing from Miami, Danny Daze has championed his sound in recent years after uniquely fusing elements of Detroit techno with Italian disco to make him one of the world’s most interesting underground talents. In 2014 Danny made his SW4 debut and he returns this summer having seen his profile grow ten-fold over recent months. With non-stop tours across the world and the release of productions on the finest imprints of today including Saved, Hot Creations, Dirtybird, Future Classic and long-term friend Maceo Plex’s Ellum, Danny’s technical prowess allows him to take musical risks. This makes him one of the most exciting acts to make the trip to South London on Saturday 29th August.